Suns Edge Grizzlies On Last Second Shot 82-80

Dec. 12, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) controls the ball under pressure from Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker in the second half at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies hadn’t lost two games in a row yet this season going into Wednesday’s game at the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns had lost 7 straight games. Many expected both of those streaks to continue as the 14-5 Grizzlies had one of the best records in the league and the 8-15 Suns  had one of the worst. It didn’t happen as the Suns pulled off the upset thanks to a hook shot from the baseline with 0.5 seconds left from Suns’ guard Goran Dragic. It was indeed the second loss in a row for the Grizzlies after they lost by 10 at home to the Atlanta Hawks Saturday.

When these two met last week in Memphis, it was the Grizzlies who got off to a slow start. It was the reverse this time as the Grizzlies led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter, and ended up with a 27-21 lead at the end of the quarter. The Grizzlies expanded their lead to 11 points twice in the second quarter including 36-25 with 8:45 left in the quarter. However, from that point on the Suns closed the half on an 18-10 run to pull within 46-43 at halftime.

In the third quarter neither team led by more than 4 points. Memphis took a 59-56 lead with 5:26 left in the third. Neither team would score gain until Phoenix guard Shannon Brown made a lay-up with 2:46 left. The teams would go into the fourth quarter tied at 63-63.

The teams traded baskets for most of the fourth. The Suns took an 80-76 lead on a six foot shot from center Marcin Gortat with 4:05 left. Memphis forward Rudy gay made it 80-78 seconds later. Neither team would score again until Gay tied it up with a 19 foot jump shot with 46 seconds left. Gay missed a 15 footer with 8 seconds left that would have given Memphis the lead. Dragic then hit the game winner. The Grizzlies didn’t even get off a shot before time expired.

The Grizzlies shot 45.2% from the field, but were just 2/10 from 3 point range. Memphis made all 12 of their free throws. The Grizzlies had 40 rebounds, 19 assists, 6 steals, 9 blocks, and 15 turnovers. Memphis scored 13 fast break points and had 38 points in the paint.

Gay led all scorers with 21 points on 7/17 shooting. Gay also added 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Forward Zach Randolph added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Center Marc Gasol had 15 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks. Forward Darrell Arthur scored 8 points off the bench with 3 rebounds and a steal. Point guard Mike Conley, Jr. had 7 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. The rest of the Grizzlies combined for 11 points.

Phoenix shot 38.2% from the field including 5/22 from 3 point range. The Suns made 9 of 11 free throws. Phoenix had 44 rebounds (including 19 offensive), 20 assists, 9 steals, 7 blocks, and 11 turnovers. Phoenix had 14 fast break points and 42 points in the paint.

Phoenix guard Jared Dudley scored 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Brown had 15 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Dragic had 12 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and a steal. Dragic was questionable with the flu before the game.  Forward Markieff Morris had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Gortat had 10 points, 8 rebounds, and a steal.

If you look at the stats Memphis shot the ball pretty well, except from 3 point range. They also made all of their free throws. The main reasons they lost tonight was because they had too many turnovers and allowed too many second chance points. They need to fix those issues before their next game at the Denver Nuggets Friday in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The only saving grace about tonight was San Antonio also lost tonight at Utah so the Grizzlies remain 2 games behind the Spurs in the Southwest Division.